Parametric electrical impedance tomography for measuring bone mineral density in the pelvis using a computational model. Issue 8 (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kimel-Naor, Shani; Abboud, Shimon; Arad, Marina
• Is Part Of: Medical engineering & physics. Volume 38:Issue 8(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 701
• Page End: 707
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Electrical impedance tomography -- Tissue electrical parameters -- Osteoporosis -- Monitoring bone mineral density -- Pelvis model -- Simulation study; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical Engineering -- Periodicals; Physics -- Periodicals; Génie biomédical -- Périodiques; Biomedical engineering; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.04.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4533

Abstract

Highlights: pEIT may provide a tool for frequent monitoring BMD in small clinics pEIT can be an easy to use complementary method to the gold standard DEXA test in order to evaluate whether a certain treatment has been improving the medical condition of the subject. Abstract: Osteoporosis is defined as bone microstructure deterioration resulting a decrease of bone's strength. Measured bone mineral density (BMD) constitutes the main tool for Osteoporosis diagnosis, management, and defines patient's fracture risk. In the present study, parametric electrical impedance tomography (pEIT) method was examined for monitoring BMD, using a computerized simulation model and preliminary real measurements. A numerical solver was developed to simulate surface potentials measured over a 3D computerized pelvis model. Varying cortical and cancellous BMD were simulated by changing bone conductivity and permittivity. Up to 35% and 16% change was found in the real and imaginary modules of the calculated potential, respectively, while BMD changes from 100% (normal) to 60% (Osteoporosis). Negligible BMD relative error was obtained with SNR > 60 [dB]. Position changes errors indicate that for long term monitoring, measurement should be taken at the same geometrical configuration with great accuracy. The numerical simulations were compared to actual measurements that were acquired from a healthy male subject using a five electrodes belt bioimpedance device. The results suggest that pEIT may provide an inexpensive easy to use tool for frequent monitoring BMD in small clinics during pharmacological treatment, as a complementary method to DEXA test.